U.S. patent number 4,613,109 [Application Number 06/591,012] was granted by the patent office on 1986-09-23 for appliance security device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lucasey Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to William L. Boscacci.
United States Patent |
4,613,109 |
Boscacci |
September 23, 1986 |
Appliance security device
Abstract
A security device for mounting an appliance on a support surface
including a bracket assembly having separable base and cover
sections defining a substantially closed compartment when joined. A
lock is provided for securing the joined bracket sections. Adhesive
pad is adhered to the support surface and an interengaging loop is
provided between the adhesive pad and the base section. The base
and cover sections are joined in a sliding fashion generally
parallel to the support surface.
Inventors: |
Boscacci; William L. (San
Leandro, CA) |
Assignee: |
Lucasey Manufacturing Company
(Oakland, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
24364672 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/591,012 |
Filed: |
March 19, 1984 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/553; 248/657;
248/670; 70/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
73/0082 (20130101); Y10T 70/558 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
73/00 (20060101); F16M 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/553,551,552,657,670,149,155.3,244,295.1,297.2,298,307,678,205.3,205.4
;70/78,163,167,168 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ramirez; Ramon O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Niro, Scavone, Haller & Niro,
Ltd.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A security device for mounting an appliance on a support surface
comprising:
a bracket assembly including a first base section and a second
separate, independent cover section, which together define a
substantially closed compartment when joined, said second cover
section constituting a supporting platform for said appliance and
securable to the appliance by appropriate fasteners which are
enclosed and concealed within said compartment when said first base
section is joined with said second cover section;
lock means for relesably locking said first base section with said
second cover section;
adhesive pad means adapted to be adhered to said support
surface;
interengaging means disposed between said adhesive pad means and
said first base section, at least one of said first base section
and the combination of said first base section and said second
cover section movable with respect to said interengaging means,
said interengaging means exposed only within said closed
compartment to releasably secure the base section to the adhesive
pad means; and
means on said first base section for facilitating securing the base
section directly to the support surface independently and without
use of adhesive pad means by means enclosed and concealed within
said compartment.
2. The security device of claim 1 wherein said interengaging means
comprise aperture means in said base section, loop means on said
adhesive pad means for projecting through said aperture means, and
pin means dimensioned to fit through said loop means.
3. The security device of claim 2 wherein said adhesive pad means
comprise a plate member having an adhesive layer attached to the
bottom surface thereof, with said loop means fixed to the top
surface of said plate member.
4. The security device of claim 3 wherein said base section
includes a base wall with said aperture means therein.
5. The security device of claim 1 wherein said base section
includes a base wall and an open front defined by a rear wall and
opposite side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and said
cover section includes a top wall with a front wall extending
downwardly therefrom to close said open front and define said
compartment.
6. The security device of claim 5 wherein said cover section is
dimensioned to slide through the open front of the base section
between the side walls thereof.
7. The security device of claim 6 wherein said upwardly extending
side walls of the base section terminate in inwardly turned flange
means to guide the cover section into the base section.
8. The security device of claim 5 wherein said lock means is
disposed between the front wall of the cover section and the base
wall of the base section.
9. The security device of claim 1 wherein said base section
includes means defining an open front therefor, and said cover
section is dimensioned to slide into and out of the open front of
the base section.
10. A security device for mounting an appliance on a support
surface, comprising:
a bracket assembly including separable base and cover sections,
said cover section defining a support securable to the appliance by
appropriate fasteners;
adhesive pad means adapted to be adhered to said support
surface;
interengaging means between said adhesive pad means and said base
section to releasably secure the base section to the adhesive pad
means, at least one of said base section and the combination of
said base section and said cover section being movable with respect
to at least one of said adhesive pad means and said interengaging
means; and
means on said base section for facilitating securing the base
section directly to the support surface independently of the
adhesive pad means.
11. The security device of claim 10 wherein said interengaging
means comprise aperture means in said base section, loop means on
said adhesive pad means for projecting through said aperture means,
and pin means dimensioned to fit through said loop means.
12. The security device of claim 11 wherein said adhesive pad means
comprise a plate member having an adhesive layer attached to the
bottom surface thereof, with said loop means fixed to the top
surface of said plate member.
13. The security device of claim 12 wherein said base section
includes a base wall with said aperture means therein.
14. A security device for mounting an appliance on a support
surface comprising:
a base section having associated first securing means for securing
said base section to said support surface;
a cover section having associated second securing means for
securing said appliance to said cover section;
interengaging means between said first securing means and said base
section for releasably securing said base section to said first
securing means;
a complementary interengaging slide housing formed by said base
section and said cover section with said cover section manually
slidable in a direction generally parallel to said support surface,
said slide housing defining a closed compartment having controlled
accessibility thereto and further enclosing and concealing said
interengaging means and second securing means in said compartment;
and
lock means for releasably joining said base and cover sections when
fully engaged to form said closed compartment with the joining of
said base and cover sections creating limited access to release
said cover section from said base section.
15. The security device of claim 14 wherein said base section
includes a base wall and an open front defined by a rear wall and
opposite side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and said
cover section includes a top wall with a front wall extending
downwardly therefrom to close said open front and define said
compartment.
16. The security device of claim 15 wherein said cover section is
dimensioned to slide through the open front of the base section
between the side walls thereof.
17. The security device of claim 16 wherein said upwardly extending
side walls of the base section terminate in inwardly turned flange
means to guide the cover section into the base section.
18. The security device of claim 15 wherein said lock means is
disposed between the front wall of the cover section and the base
wall of the base section.
19. A security device for mounting an appliance on a support
surface, comprising:
a bracket assembly including separable base and cover sections
defining a substantially closed compartment when joined, said base
section including a base wall and an open front defined by a rear
wall and opposite side walls extending upwardly from the base wall,
said cover section constituting a supporting platform for said
appliance and securable to the appliance by appropriate fasteners
which are enclosed and concealed within said compartment when the
sections are joined, said cover section including a top wall with a
front wall extending downwardly therefrom to close said open front
and dimensioned to slide through the open front of the base section
between the side walls thereof, thereby defining said
compartment;
lock means for releasably locking the joined bracket sections;
adhesive pad means adapted to be adhered to said support
surface;
interengaging means between said adhesive pad and said base section
and exposed only within said compartment to releasably secure the
base section to the adhesive pad means; and
means on said base section for facilitating securing the base
section directly to the support surface independently of said
adhesive pad means by means enclosed and concealed within said
compartment.
20. The security device of claim 19 wherein said upwardly extending
side walls of the base section terminate in inwardly turned flange
means to guide the cover section into the base section.
21. A security device for mounting an appliance on a support
surface, comprising:
a bracket assembly including separable base and cover sections
defining a substantially closed compartment when joined, said base
section including means defining an open front therefore, said
cover section dimensioned to slide into and out of the open front
of the base section and providing a supporting platform for said
appliance and securable to the appliance by appropriate fasteners
which are enclosed and concealed within said compartment when said
sections are joined;
lock means for releasably locking the joined bracket sections;
adhesive pad means adapted to adhered to said support surface;
interengaging means between said adhesive pad means and said base
section and exposed only within said closed compartment to
releasably secure the base section to the adhesive pad means;
and
means on said base section for facilitating securing the base
section directly to the support surface independently of said
adhesive pad means by means enclosed and concealed within said
compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to devices for securing appliances such as
office equipment to their mounting support surfaces.
Many institutions such as businesses, schools, hotels and the like
utilize a large number of appliances or equipment such as
typewriters, word processors, computers, television sets and other
equipment which are prone to theft problems. While such appliances
often are relatively expensive, it is not usually practical to
always maintain all of the areas where the appliances are located
under constant and close surveillance. For this reason such
appliances have become a target for theft.
One common method of reducing the loss of such equipment has been
to bolt the equipment to the surface to which it is mounted. This
often is accomplished by utilizing a mounting bracket which
includes a locked cover which conceals the bolt or stud and/or nut
so that they are concealed and cannot be easily removed.
Examples of such security devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,724,798 and 3,850,392. U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,798 is assigned to the
assignee of this invention and shows the use of a bracket structure
which includes first and second sections defining a substantially
closed compartment when joined and which conceals the fastening
means of the device. The first section forms a closure with the
second section. The first section is secured to a support means and
the second section constitutes a supporting platform for the
appliance and securable to the same by removable fasteners enclosed
and concealed within the compartment. U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,392 also
shows a bracket assembly which includes a cover section forming a
substantially closed compartment. The cover section is attached to
an adhesive pad secured directly to the supporting surface. The
adhesive pad is used to avoid drilling holes into the support
surface for receiving bolts which attach the device to the support
surface.
One of the problems with using adhesive pads for attaching security
devices to their support surfaces is in the cost of manufacturing
the devices. In many institutions, such as schools, where a large
number of appliances are utilized, the cost of security devices can
be prohibitive. Consequently, such institutions choose to bolt the
security devices directly to their support surfaces because there
is little or no intention of moving the appliances to other
locations.
On the other hand, in some businesses where the support surfaces
comprise the top of relatively expensive furniture, there is a
desire to utilize adhesive pads which do not permanently damage the
furniture.
There is a definite need for a new and improved security device
which can be readily and easily converted from a device which is
secured directly to a support surface, as by bolts or the like, to
a device which can utilize adhesive pads as the fastening means.
This would permit the manufacturer to market a relatively
inexpensive security device, and yet permit the device to be
converted to an adhesive-type device if desired.
Another problem with security devices of the character described
resides in the method of assembly and disassembly of the bracket
structure which forms the closed interior compartment of the
bracket. With prior devices such as those disclosed in both U.S.
patents described above, the cover section of the bracket is
assembled and disassembled from the base section in a generally
vertical direction; i.e. generally perpendicular to the support
surface. In some institutions, such as hospitals or the like,
monitoring equipment and other appliances are stored in vertical
fashion for ready accessibility somewhat akin to a chest of
drawers. There is a need and it would be desirable to provide a new
and improved security device of the character described wherein the
cover section of the bracket assembly is assembled to the base
section in a sliding fashion and yet provide a substantially closed
compartment when joined.
This invention is directed to solving the problems and satisfying
the needs described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and
improved security device for mounting an appliance on a support
surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide a security device of
the character described which can be fastened directly to a support
surface by bolt means or the like, the device being readily
convertible to one that can be attached to the support surface by
adhesive pad means if desired.
A further object of the invention is to provide a security device
of the character described which includes a bracket assembly having
base and cover sections defining a substantially closed compartment
when joined, the base and cover sections being assembled in a
sliding fashion generally parallel to the support surface.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the security device
includes a bracket assembly having separable base and cover
sections defining a substantially closed compartment when joined.
The cover section constitutes a supporting platform for the
appliance and is securable to the appliance by appropriate
fasteners which are enclosed and concealed within the compartment
when the sections are joined. Lock means is provided for releasably
locking the joined bracket sections. Adhesive pad means is adapted
to be adhered to the support surface. Interengaging means is
provided between the adhesive pad means and the base section and
exposed only within the closed compartment to releasably secure the
base section to the adhesive pad means. Means is provided on the
base section for facilitating securing the base section directly to
the support surface independently of the adhesive pad means by
means enclosed and concealed within the compartment. Thus, the
security device can be attached directly to a support surface by
appropriate fasteners such as bolts, the device being readily
convertible to one which can be attached to the support surface by
the adhesive pad means.
To this end, the interengaging means between the adhesive pad means
and the base section comprise aperture means in the base section,
loop means on the adhesive pad means for projecting through the
aperture means, and pin means dimensioned to fit through the loop
means. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive pad means comprise
one or more plate members having an adhesive layer bonded to the
bottom surface thereof, with the loop means fixed to the top
surface of the plate member.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of a bracket
assembly wherein the base and cover sections are joined in a
sliding fashion generally parallel to the support surface. More
particularly, the bracket assembly disclosed herein includes a base
section having a base wall and an open front defined by a rear wall
and opposite side walls extending upwardly from the base wall. The
cover section includes a top wall with a front wall extending
downwardly therefrom to close the open front of the base section
and define the closed compartment. The cover section is dimensioned
to slide through the open front of the base section between the
side walls thereof. The lock means is disposed between the front
wall of the cover section and the base wall of the base
section.
Other objects, features amd advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are
set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,
together with its objects and advantages thereof, may be best
understood by reference to the following description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the various
components of a security device incorporating the features of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken generally
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the device completely
assembled;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of the security
device and illustrating the sliding relationship of the bracket
assembly sections; and
FIG. 4 is a somewhat schematic elevational view illustrating the
utilization of a plurality of security devices in a stacked array
for accommodating a plurality of appliances.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIG. 1, a
security device, generally designated 10, is illustrated for
mounting an appliance on a support surface. As will be apparent
from the following description, the device can be employed for
attachment directly to a support surface, as by bolts or the like,
the device being readily convertible to one which is attachable to
the support surface by adhesive pad means.
More particularly, security device 10 comprises a bracket assembly
which includes separable and independent cover and base sections,
generally designated 12 and 14, respectively. The base and cover
sections together define a substantially closed compartment 16
(FIG. 2) when joined. Cover section 12 constitutes a supporting
platform for an appliance or other equipment item and is securable
to the appliance by appropriate securing means including, but not
limited to, fasteners (not shown) which are enclosed and concealed
within the compartment when the sections are joined. Lock means,
generally designated 18, is provided for releasably locking the
joined bracket sections 12, 14.
Security device 10 also includes adhesive pad means, generally
designated 20, adapted to be adhered to a support surface.
Interengaging means, generally designated 22, is provided between
adhesive pad means 20 and base section 14 to releasably secure the
base section to the adhesive pad means from within the closed
compartment defined by the base and cover sections. Means described
hereinafter also is provided on base section 14 or securing the
base section directly to a support surface independently of
adhesive pad means 20.
Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, adhesive pad means 20 comprise
four plate members 24 having an adhesive layer 26 bonded to the
bottom surface thereof. Thus, it can be seen that the adhesive pad
means is totally independent of base section 14 which combines with
top section 12 for forming the bracket assembly for the appliance
accordingly, the base section 14 or the combination of the base
section 14 and top section 12 are movable with respect to the
interengaging means.
The interengaging means between adhesive pad means 20 and base
section 14 comprise a plurality of loops 28 formed integral with
and projecting upwardly from plate members 24. The loops project
through apertures 30 in base section 14. The loops have holes 32
which are aligned for receiving pins 34 dimensioned to fit through
the holes in the loops to releasably interengage the adhesive pads
with the base section such that the pads are disposed on the
underside thereof. Pins 34 have angled portions 34a at the outer
ends thereof to facilitate manual manipulation of the pins to
thread the pins through the loops of the adhesive pads from within
base section 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1. It can be seen in FIG. 2
that the interengaging means 22 described above is concealed within
closed compartment 16 between base section 14 and cover section
12.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, means is provided for securing base
section 14 directly to a support surface totally independently of
adhesive pad means 20. More particularly, the base section is
provided with a plurality of apertures 36 through which a
pluraility of bolts or screws 38 (FIG. 3) pass to secure the base
section directly to a support surface, such as the top of a table
or desk. As stated hereinbefore, adhesive pad means 20 can be
relatively expensive to manufacture and may be prohibitive
cost-wise for some institutions, such as schools. Thus, it can be
seen that a complete security device comprising the basic
components of cover section 12 and base section 14 can be employed
totally independently of the adhesive pad means. If an institution
desires to avoid permanent installation of the security device, as
by forming holes in a support surface for receiving screws 38,
adhesive pad means 20 can be employed as a separate, releasable
interengaging securing means in combination with base section 14.
In fact, it is contemplated that adhesive pad means 20, including
pins 34, can be manufactured and sold as separate convertible kits
for use with the bracket assembly comprising cover and base
sections 12 and 14, respectively.
Another feature of the invention is illustrated in all of FIGS. 1-4
and comprises the sliding manner in which cover and base sections
12 and 14, respectively, are joined. Heretofore, such bracket
assemblies have been joined in various fashions requiring vertical
assembly procedures. With the bracket assembly herein, the cover
and base sections are joined in a sliding manner generally parallel
to a support surface. For instance, FIG. 4 schematically
illustrates three security devices 10 for supporting three
appliances 40 in a vertical or stacked array within an enclosed
cabinet, generaly designated 42. This is appropriate for such
institutions as hospitals where monitoring equipment is so stored
for ready access and use.
More particularly, referring to FIGS. 1-3, base section 14 includes
a base wall 44 (wherein apertures 30 and 36 are formed), a rear
wall 46 and opposite side walls 48. The rear and side walls
terminate at their upper edges in inwardly turned flange means 50
for guiding cover section 12 as described hereinunder. As seen best
in FIGS. 1 and 3, this construction of base section 14 forms an
open front thereto.
Cover section 12 includes a top wall 52, side walls 54, a front
wall 56 and a rear wall 58 (FIG. 2). As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3,
cover section 12 is dimensioned to slide through the open front of
base section 14 between side walls 48 of the base section and
beneath the inwardly turned flanges means 50. Top wall 52 has
apertures 60 (FIG. 1) for securing the cover section to an
appliance by appropriate fasteners such as, for example, fasteners
61 in FIG. 2 which are protruding from the bottom of an appliance,
such as equipment 63 and extending beneath the cover section and,
thus, concealed within the closed compartment of the bracket
assembly.
As can best be seen in FIG. 1, the locking means 18 is provided for
securing cover and base sections 12 and 14, respectively in joined
condition and is effectively disposed between front wall 56 of the
cover section and base wall 44 of the base section. More
particularly, a key operated lock 62 extends through a hole 64 in
front wall 56 of the cover section, the lock having a head portion
66 for abutting against the front wall. The key operated lock
engages a lock receiver assembly 68 attached to an upstanding leg
of an L-shaped bracket 70 fixed to the top of base wall 44 of base
section 14. When the cover and base sections are fully joined in
their sliding relationship, lock 62 is inserted through bore 64 and
a key is engaged within the lock to secure the lock to lock
receiver 68 on the base section.
Thus, it can be seen that a new and improved security device 10 has
been provided which is convertible between a device having a
bracket assembly comprising cover section 12 and base section 14
securable directly to a support surface, as well as device wherein
the bracket assembly can be independently secured to the support
surface by adhesive pad means releasably interengageable with the
bracket assembly. Cover section 12 is slidably joined with base
section 14 to permit the bracket assembly to be assembled in a
horizontal fashion for accommodating appliances in a vertical
array.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and
not restrictive, and the invention is not be be limited to th
details given herein.
* * * * *